Neuroscience is a sub field of biology and includes ~90% of the same classes as a plain vanilla bio major. You will be taking exactly the same “weed out” classes along side all the bio majors.
A neuroscience degree is even less employable post graduation than a plain bio degree.
Do you guys know if any of these weed-out students?
All pre med programs weed out students. Some weed more harshly than others.
In general, you want to be in the top 25% of accepted students because it’s those other top students (who tend to cluster in engineering and science majors) who you will be competing against to earn those A grades you need to build a strong med school application.
As mentioned above, you also need to consider cost, fit as well what types of opportunities each school will offer you.
By opportunity I mean-- the opportunity to explore other majors and other career pathways (because 60-75% of freshmen pre-meds never even apply to med school), to develop mentoring relationships with your professors (because you’ll need letters of recommendation for med school), to get involved in campus activities (because med schools are looking for well rounded individuals), and to grow and develop as person and as an individual.
@Hell00 First, my niece was a bio major and applied and got into 5 different Vet Med schools (more competitive than pre-med). Secondly, the larger the school, generally the more weed out classes.
Union College as a small LAC gives you a leg up there. It has a strong reputation, ranked 44 in national LAC‘s. It does have a Greek system but USNews Compass reports that only 27% and 35% of the males and females participate in Greek life. IMO that is NOT heavily Greek. US News Compass also reports that only 15% of the students major in the biosciences and biomedical sciences making that seemingly a less competitive pool. Generally, the small LAC‘s have good retention Rates. Union‘s is 93%. It has a strong engineering program which IMO speaks to the overall rigor of the school. Look at the course catalogue and make sure there are enough bio science and neuroscience classes to have a strong and deep pre-med application. I would also recommend looking at it‘s internship placements in area hospitals. That will also be very important for med school.
That all said, high achievement at a larger university like Baylor, will speak loudly on a med school application. Baylor is also close to several large cities known for excellent hospitals. Again, I would inquire as to medical internship placements from Baylor.
@merc81@Hell00 Very helpful. Not surprised to see Union ranked so highly. It is a highly competitive school to get into these days. It is impressive that you were also awarded merit dollars from Union and definitely conveys that they want you (and likewise as a small LAC will want to see you succeed).
I have to agree with @MYOS1634, re the Chapel requirements. If you are not comfortable with a conservative, religious environment, then this school would not fit you.